Running, Essentially . . .

New York City Marathon – What’s in a bib number?

So much to blog about but so little time. A couple of weeks ago I ran 80 miles (130K), last week I ran the half-marathon and our Matthew House fundraising team set a personal best for funds raised ($58,000 and still counting) and team size (120). I’ve racked up a month or so of vacation time in the past weeks and have not been as focused on New York as I would have liked. At the height of this and when I was feeling a bit drained I received this email which was a total pick-me-up. I had applied to be in the Competitive Start Corral with bib numbers from 500-999 and was accepted.

I didn’t know what to expect as I applied just before the deadline for submission and am not part of a team. Last year over 45,000 runners finished the marathon. To be in the first wave, just behind the Elite & Sub-Elite groups is a huge thrill. My bib number is 757. WooHoo! Price of entry: 80 miles a week 🙂

Dear Lynn,

Congratulations! You have been accepted into the 2011 ING New York City Marathon Local Competitive Program. Please access your new registration card by going into your marathon profile after Tuesday, October 25, 2011. You must print out a copy of your registration card and bring it with you to the Expo. No Blackberry or I Phone versions will be accepted.

Your bib number will now be somewhere between 500-999. If your bib number is not within this range, please email janetc@nyrr.org. You can find your bib number information on your registration card. Once you pick up your bib at the Expo, you should be all set!

Athletes in the Local Competitive Program will have exclusive access to the Local Competitive staging area located near the runner entrance by the Verrazano Bridge Toll Plaza. Look for the “Local Competitive” sign attached to the fence near the entrances. CLICK HERE TO VIEW START MAP. Runners will be asked to show their bib number before entering this area.

Amenities in this staging area include:

Bottled Water

Gatorade NOTE: Limited quantities available. First come, first serve.

PowerBars

Coffee

Bagels

Toilets

The Local Competitive Program is designed to give a preferred starting position to those who meet a time standard based on gender and age. Your starting position will be at the front of the green start, Wave 1. This start is at 9:40 a.m.

Keep in mind that your baggage truck is approximately ¼ mile away from the Local Competitive staging area. Please allow yourself enough time to check your bag and get back to your staging area before your group is moved to the start line.

Timeline:

6:00 am – Baggage Opens

8:10 am – Suggested baggage check

8:20 am – Wave 1 corrals open

8:55 am – Wave 1 corrals close. Local Competitive athletes move onto the bridge, ahead of the general green start runners. If you are not in the Local Competitive staging area at this time, you will not be allowed the preferred starting position.